Dagnabbit! It's official.. I'm old.

I had my suspicions, but I guess it's official.  I'm officially old (or at least viewed that way by my kids).



What brought about this most unsettling Epiphany?  Things like this, that my kids have said to me..




Comment #1
"Dad.. did they have music in the 60s?"

Comment #2
"Dad.. was the Television show "Full House" made in the 60s?"

Comment #3
"You and Mom are really old fashioned"


Hmmm.  Being a child of the 70's and 80's, I believe I've seen and experienced much more socially than my kiddo's have at their age.  After all, we used to leave the house to fraternize, play, and explore.  My generations views and beliefs were much more progressive and different than my parents generation.  Heck, now that I think of it.. we too thought our folks were old fashioned.  It just goes to show you how fast things change from generation to generation.

If I'm considered old fashioned, so be it.  I dig my retro ways, and truly believe that older is better in many aspects of life.  Something I truly take comfort and satisfaction from, is knowing that one day my kids will be thought of as old fashioned by their own kiddo's.  Oh how I hope I'm around to see it!

Cowboys and Indian toys.. still selling after all of these years

by Darrin Vindiola


It warm the cockles of my retro heart to see that toys like Cowboy and Indian play sets are still carried in stores.  After all of these years, the toys must still warrant valuable retail shelf space, because if you look hard enough in most supermarkets you will find them.

Often they are strategically placed in aisles where a parent might have to take a little more time to find what they need, like the spices or coffee sections.  (Sneaky huh?)  And.. quite curiously, they always seem to be within an arms reach of children!  It makes me smile to think there are still kids out there that will beg and plead, like I did for Mom or Dad to buy these toys for them.

Cowboys & Indians as well as Green Army Men were the equivalent to LEGO's for my brother and I back in the 1970s.  We had hundreds of them that always seemed to be strung about everywhere.  We were scolded on more than one occasion when the little plastic toys would get vacuumed up into Mom's Electrolux. 

I must admit that these toys conjure up such great feelings of nostalgia.. I feel like purchasing a bag every time I set my eyes on them.  These sets pictured above were no exception to the rule!  The sets contained way cool accessories like Teepees, Hogans, totem poles, horses, and cacti, just to name a few.  Perhaps I need to buy a bag of these things for old times sake, although I'm not sure exactly what I'd do with them.  Ah, who am I kidding?  I'd most definitely play with them just as I did when I was five years old.

Want to build an army of Retro Cowboys and Indians?

Check out what I found on Amazon..

A 180 piece set.  Now THAT'S bang for your buck!

Reunited with the Hot Wheels Red Baron.. 37 years later

I flipped my lid when I saw this in the store back in 2012, and it immediately went into my shopping cart..

Mattel re-released (and improved upon) the classic Red Baron Hot Wheels car that year, under their new Hot Wheels "Boulevard" line of cars.

Superb details like real rubber tires with treads

The new release gave extra attention to details like tires, rims, paint, and overall quality.  The attention to detail was not wasted on me for sure.  I never really grew up, and while I love to collect toys, I don't collect for the sake of collecting.  I require the toys I buy to look good and be of the utmost quality, while still bringing that childhood thrill of excitement involved in owning the toys.

This was a reunion that filled my heart with joy, because as a child in 1975.. this was one of the most coveted Hot Wheels of the time.  My brother gave me his Red Baron as he started outgrowing toys, and started getting interested in other silly things like girls and music.

I carried that little car with me everywhere I went.  During the summer I acquired the car, I dreamed of playing with it in the school sandbox.  Therefore, I eagerly took it to school with me on my first day of kindergarten.  During recess after about 5 minutes of playing with it, a kid came up to me and asked if he could see it.  When I obliged, he immediately threw it onto the roof of the school.  I was absolutely crushed.  I tearfully ran up to the school janitor, told him what happened, and asked if he could get it down for me.  Sadly, he just shrugged and walked away.

There are toys from your youth that stick with you and always hold a special place in your heart. This toy was definitely one of those for me.  I've seen re-releases of the Red Baron over the last couple of decades, in colors of blue, black, green, and gold, but to me they were simply oxymorons, so I always passed them up.  I mean really.. a Green Red Baron?



I did buy my son a Toy Story themed Hot Wheels track back in the 90s that came with a authentic looking Red Baron car inside the package.  I almost pilfered the car for myself, but he loved it so much I couldn't do it.

Then.. in 2012, I learned good things come to those who wait.  I now have a Red Baron Hot Wheels car in my collection that blows away my original.  From the real rubber tires with treads, to the black and white Maltese Cross painted on the side of the helmet, it's a mini work of art.   It may not be the most pricey car in my collection, but it's definitely one of my most prized.

Endangered retro terminology and words..

I love uttering words and phrases that I grew up hearing my folks and Grandparents use. I always get a kick out of blank stares I get from youngin's that aren't familiar with said expressions. However, I'm equally as pleased with the looks of amusement I get from those who are acquainted with such sayings and terms. Here's a few that have been running through my mind lately..


Ragamuffin
In my experiences as a boy, older folks would often refer to us kids as "Ragamuffin's" when we were dirty, messy, or shabbily dressed. We usually heard this term after a long hard day of playing outside when an adult would say something like.. "Judas Priest! Look at the state of you little Ragamuffin's!


Kismet
Basically another word for fate or destiny.


Tappets
Slang for the lifters inside of an engine that open the valves. Eventually, the camshaft that moves the lifters or the valve stem can eventually wear down enough to make the lifters click. On more than one occasion, I remember pulling up somewhere in my old jalopy, only to have an old timer tell me: "Sounds like you need to adjust yer tappets son".


Beer Nuts
These are still around, but a lot of younger folks I've talked to had no clue what they were. For my old man, Beer Nuts were the quintessential snack to eat with beer. He used to stock pile cans of these things in the cupboard for football games and boxing matches. I remember my Dad happily sharing his cans of Beer Nuts with me when I was a wee lad, and thinking I was getting away with something. I simply equated that the peanuts had beer in them because of the product name.


Dungarees
Many folks used to call jeans Dungarees. I remember getting perturbed at this when I was a kid thinking.. how dare they call my Levis 501's Dungarees?!?


Castor Oil
Ugh.. when I was a kid, many households had a bottle of castor oil on the closet or medicine shelf.  I'd go as far to say that almost every household had a bottle at the ready when my parents were kids. Castor Oil is a vegetable oil made from the castor bean, and is primarily used as a laxative. While my parents never made me consume the stuff.. my brother once offered me 50 cents to swallow a spoonful. I accepted his offer, and choked down the thick yellowish oil which about made me gag. Heaven only knows how I kept the stuff down.   Later on during the night, the results were dare I say.. explosive.


Ambrosia
I've eaten countless variations of this fruit salad at get-togethers and church gatherings throughout the 70's and 80's. My favorite salads were the ones with little marshmallows, and plenty of shredded coconut. Oh yeah.. if you're an old cat like me and were around in the 70's, you might remember a progressive American rock band by the same name. Big hits for the group Ambrosia were "Biggest Part of Me", "How Much I feel", and "You're the Only Woman".


Courting
Now widely referred to by most as dating. Kids back in my day however, understood that courting was a serious thing rather than recreational. Courtship was the period in a relationship where both people are trying their best to get to know each other better, so as to decide if a progression toward marriage is in their future.


I could literally go on all day popping off endangered and extinct sayings and phrases. I believe the topic warrants some more posts in the near future. Stay tuned..

From the archives of my Old Man's 8-track collection..

She Shot me down

by Frank Sinatra

Not one of Sinatra's bigger selling albums, even though his talent is exceptionally showcased.  It features lots of songs where he talks of love, regret, and loss. If you ever happen to be too happy and need to be taken down a notch or two, this album will do the trick pallie!

This still plays perfectly, and my Old Man swears 8-tracks have better sound than newfangled CD's!  Yup.. that's my Old Man.  Retro til' the end!

That one time thrifting, when I found a Crafty Latvian piece

A couple of years ago, I came across an interesting piece during one of my retro treasure hunts that made its way home with me.  It was originally an item I came across, snapped a quick picture of, and moved on.  For reasons inexplicable to me, I felt a strange urge to go back and take a closer look at this small crafted leather notebook.  I immediately put a hold on my treasure hunt, and made my way back across the store to take a gander at it.

For some strange reason.. I found myself deeply enthralled with this crafty Latvian notebook, and felt compelled to go back and take a closer look at it.  What was written inside piqued my interest even more.

 

A note on the inside cover reads:

To: Mrs. Dohra Fuehrer 

Merry Christmas 

From:

Latvian Ladies and Pastor

12-24-1973

This item seems to have hardly been used, apart from nine pages missing from the note pad.   I love finding quirky and unique items like this, because they really get my mind working.  What era is depicted on the front of this book?  What were the "Latvian Ladies".. a Latvian Lutheran ladies club perhaps?  What significance does the image on the back of the notebook cover hold?

This notebook was obviously nicely taken care of for the better part of 40 years, which means it may have been a cherished gift.  It then brings questions to mind like when, how, and why did it part ways with its owner? 

Items like books, Bibles, and old antiques that have been personalized in this manner always tend to catch my interest.   It adds another dimension to their uniqueness, not to mention an air of humanity.  I guess this book is so intriguing to me, because of the mystery surrounding it.  I've already begun scouring the web for images similar to the ones imprinted on these leather covers, so as to learn more about them.  I've also read some history on Latvia and am still trying to figure out exactly who and what the "Latvian Ladies" were.

So in the end, a 40 year old leather notebook ended up getting me to take time out of my busy life, to learn about an entirely different culture and church that I'm not familiar with.  So much of life is about imagining, growing, and learning new things, and buying this little book for a couple of bucks.. has helped me to do a little more of all those things.  It was definitely the best two bucks I've spent in a long time!

Throwback Hostess Snack cake packaging

This article has been moved to my new web-site!
View the article Here.. at www.SnackCakeLife.com

Old Pringles Mini Potato Crisp Can

I was in my Old Man's garage the other day, and came across this little bit of retro goodness..

I recently saw some retro Pringles cans in stores that the company released, but lo and behold.. my old man has a bonafide retro mini can, that's 20 plus years old.  I found it on a shelf being re-purposed as a container for nuts and bolts.

I love it.. you never know what you're going to come across in my Dad's garage!

Disney World and EPCOT food and snack review

The Disney World theme parks in Florida have some great offerings when it comes to dining.  Pictured below, is just a fraction of the park fare my family and I enjoyed during our last trip there.  Something that may interest you, is that all of the items pictured, were purchased from counter service restaurants and eateries in the parks.   I must apologize beforehand about the picture quality, as the pictures were taken with an older phone on its last leg.

Lobster Roll and homemade chips

I got this beauty at "Tomorrowland Terrace Cafe" in Disney World.  This cold sandwich really hits the spot when you've got a heat index outside of 105 degrees!

Philly Cheese Steak

To tell you the truth, I wasn't expecting much before I took my first bite of this sandwich.  As you can see however.. I took three more bites before snapping this picture.  Heck, I almost didn't even stop to take a photo at all because it tasted so good!  I ordered this sandwich at  "Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe" in Disney World.  They have a heck of a condiment bar to load your burgers and sandwiches up with, so I was able to get extra cheese and mushrooms on my Philly ( just how I like em' ).

As we ate our lunch, we were serenaded by "Sonny Eclipse", an animatronic alien lounge singer.  If you ever make it to Tomorrowland in Walt Disney World, stop by Cosmic Ray's to catch his show!

 Fish and Chips

Every time I visit EPCOT, I always make a point to get an order of fish and chips from the "Yorkshire County Fish Shop", located in the United Kingdom pavilion at The World Showcase.  On this day, a rainstorm had just passed over, and my wife and daughters were headed towards France to get some sweets from the bakery.  I decided to get an early dinner, and ordered some fish & chips, and an ice cold pint of Bass Ale. 

I got my order, and sat down on a bench by The World Showcase Lagoon.  At that very moment, the clouds parted and a rainbow appeared on the other side of the small lake. (look close and you can see it in the picture above).  I lifted the pint of ale and took a long slow sip.  I took my first bite of the delectable fish and chips, shook my head, and thought to myself..  "It just doesn't get any better than this".

 Fresh waffle with strawberry jam

During my first visit to EPCOT back in 1990, I discovered a little gem called "The Kringla Bakery" at the Norway Pavilion in the World Showcase.  It was back then when I ordered my first freshly cooked waffle filled with strawberry jam.  I was immediately hooked, and have never visited the park since without eating one (or two).  They've always been made the same way over the years, and the quality and taste have never varied.  All waffles are made to order, filled with strawberry jam, and dusted with powdered sugar.

 Candied Apples from "Karamelle-Küche" 

Germany pavilion at EPCOT's World Showcase

Croissant and layered Apple Tart

The France pavilion at EPCOT has a great bakery called the "Boulangerie Patisserie".  The bakery features light sandwiches, quiches, and a huge assortment of French pastries.   My desert taste leans towards items that aren't super sweet, so the warm flaky croissant, and fresh baked apple tart pictured above fit the bill perfectly!  My wife on the other hand, prefers rich, chocolatey deserts like the one below..

By the time I got my camera out to snap a picture, a few bites had mysteriously been taken from this gooey, moist, chocolatey cake.

While the kids opted to go on the STAR TOURS ride for the third time in a row at Disney Studios, my bride and I decided to take a load off, and popped in at the "Writer's Stop" bookstore and coffee shop.  We enjoyed a mocha latte, and split this delicious cupcake, as we thumbed through some books and magazines.  We left 20 minutes later rested, rejuvenated, and ready to take on the rest of the afternoon and evening.

Behold the wonder that is..

The Dole Whip Float

As you pass the entrance to Adventureland, in Disney World.. there is a little shop on the right called "Aloha Aisle Refreshments".  Their specialty.. Dole Whips, and Dole Whip Floats.  Sponsored by, you guessed it.. DOLE!  This little shop sells delicious pineapple, soft serve, frozen sorbet as a stand alone treat, or in float form with pineapple juice.  I've had Dole Whips at fairs before, but hands down.. none of them could even hold a candle to the ones you get at Disney World and Disneyland!  That being said.. it really stinks when I get a craving for one during mid summer, and the closest Disney park is 1100 miles away.

So needless to say, my family enjoyed some great food in the Disney World parks during our visit.  But.. we didn't even scratch the surface on what we could have dined on.  I myself wanted to try the Philly Cheese Steak hot dog and Taco Hot Dog at the "Lunching Pad".  Not to mention the giant smoked turkey legs that they sell in Adventureland.  I won't fret about it too much however.  It just gives me plenty to look forward to until my next trip!

What ever happened to just a Good Ol' fashioned OREO?

Okay kids, here I go again.  Back in my day, we had two types of OREO cookies.  The regular OREO, and the Double Stuff OREO.  I went into the store the other day and had trouble finding a plain honest to goodness package of OREO's, but not for the reasons you might think.  This is why..

I've really got to be in the mood for cookies like this.

 These have never excited me in any way, shape, or form.

I'm Double-y not excited

Still nothing..

Not a big chocolate guy so these do nothing for me.
My bride would beg to differ.

These could be really good.. 
or really bad

These piqued my interest.
Just not enough to buy em'

Getting closer..

Let's flip a coin.. or cookie.

These look fun, and probably have a nice taste to the filling.

I'd rather have ice cream..

Ditto.

 This was unique enough to warrant a taste.

Surprisingly, they were pretty good!

You can read my review here

The only type of mint cookies I ever eat are sold by girl scouts. I just can't see these stacking up against Thin Mints.

These were too sweet for my blood. I'm not sure if they make these any longer, but the bride really used to dig them though.

Golden OREO and Golden Birthday Cake Fudge Cremes

Double Stuff and Coconut Delight Fudge Cremes

DOUBLE Chocolate fudge OREO Fudge Cremes

Now these are cool!  Perfect for Super Bowl parties.

They should make these for every sport.

Trust me when I say that there were more pictures I could have snapped besides these.  I was simply going into OREO overload, and gave up.  I had no clue there were so many OREO varieties on the market at once.  I mean.. this one brand of cookie could rightly fill its very own aisle in the supermarket.  Heck.. I've already seen seasonal and holiday varieties of OREO's popping up on shelves.

I don't mind limited edition runs of food products, but this really seems like overkill to me.   I'm sure there are folks out there that try every single new OREO cookie that's released to market.  I'm not one of those people (anymore).  I used to try anything that was new just for the sake of trying it.  Now I'm more selective and buy based on my personal tastes, with the occasional impulse buy due to sheer curiosity.

What about you?  Have you tried any or all of these cookies pictured above?  If so.. I'd love to hear about your OREO adventures.

Two retro toys you can still find on shelves

It seems like these two toys that I played with during my youth are popping up all over the place..

Remember these little guys that could magically move and come to life?    If you don't quite recall how these things worked, here's a commercial to jog your memory..

I had a love hate relationship with these beady eyed caterpillars.  I loved the way they looked, and thought they were a cool toy.. but hated that I could never master making them look like they were really alive.  My two daughters on the other hand have figured out the secret to bringing them to life, and own a crap load of them!  It says a lot for a simple toy that was popular in the 70's, to be able to entertain the average 21st century kid for any amount of time.

These sticky little octopi are now called Wacky Wally's.. but I remember them as "Wacky Wall Walkers".  I remember being able to get them for a limited time as an inbox prize from Corn Pops cereal, but they were also widely available in stores.

These guys did exactly what they were made to do.. walk down walls.  In fact.. they did a stellar job of walking down just about any surface like doors, refrigerators, mirrors, windows, etc.  During their vertical journeys however, their tentacles would pick up hitchhikers along the way, all the while making them less and less sticky.  Dust, lint, dirt, and animal hair served as these sticky octopus's kryptonite, eventually rendering them useless.  Fortunately, all you had to do was give them a quick bath in soapy water and let them air dry for about ten minutes. They were then good as new and you could carry on freaking out your siblings, and making your Mom mad with the "octopi trails" that would dirty up her mirrors and windows.

If I remember correctly, the Squirmels were originally only available through television offers, but it wasn't long until you could buy them everywhere.  As for those who didn't want to spend as much money, there were an abundant amount of knock-off's available, even in 25 cent bubble gum machines.  It was pretty much the same story with the wall walkers as well.

One things for sure.. I never paid the $2.99 price tag that's on them now.  In this day and age however.. a $2.99 toy that can keep kids entertained for hours is a steal.

The contrast of a retro childhood vs. a 2016 childhood..

by Darrin Vindiola

Being a child of the 70s and 80s, I sometimes sit back and shake my head at just how much times have changed. What really gets me however, is just how much it's transformed childhood for the youth of today. Let me expound..


In the 70s and 80s..
a lot of kids had newspaper delivery routes.

In 2016..
I wouldn't dream of letting any of my children hop on a bike at 4:00 a.m to deliver newspapers.

In the 70s and 80s..
My entire family enjoyed watching television shows together like Sanford & Son, Magnum P.I., The Jeffersons, Trapper John MD, Alice, and Fantasy Island.

In 2016..
I find myself hard pressed to find situation comedies and dramas that are wholesome enough for my whole family to enjoy. For Pete's sake.. how many commercials for that matter, utilize sexual situations and double entendres to pedal their products?


In the 70s and 80s..
I would spend many a day of my summer vacation playing outside all day long. I would usually watch Saturday morning cartoons, and then set off on some kind of mission, adventure, or day of swimming with my friends. Once I left the house on my bike for the day, my Mom usually wouldn't see or hear from me until it got dark.

In 2016..
I can't imagine giving my kids this much freedom. Not because I don't trust them, but because I don't trust who may be out there. For many, this has given way to television and video games becoming electronic babysitters for their kids. These forms of entertainment keep junior safe from the outside world, and keeps kids corralled within the confines of their bedroom walls. Hmm.. do you think it's coincidence that there's an obesity epidemic among the youth of today?


In the 70s and 80s..
Home cooked meals were the norm, while fast food and soda were treats enjoyed only on rare occasions.

In 2016..
Many people practically live off of fast food and soda. If it's not fast food, processed food which requires minimal time to cook can be found in practically every home in America. I'm not sure when we started buying into the notion that our lives are so hectic and busy, that home cooked meals are no longer a feasible option. That's not to say people aren't busy, because I sure as heck am always short on time.  However, with a little forethought and planning, you can easily make an incredibly healthy meal for an entire family in fifteen minutes. As for soda.. I can honestly say that at one time, I drank more soda than water. Wisdom however got the best of me, and I now only drink soda on the rare occasion.

Maybe I'm off base with some of my views. Someone in a small town may very well be able to let their kids play outside until dark, or have a newspaper route with no worries. When you come right down to it however, there have always been sinister people, and those who mean to do others harm. Sex in advertising and entertainment have also always been around, albeit less prevalent or more subtle in years past. Are things really that much worse than back in the day?

Like so many others in society, I now feel the need to be connected at all times to my spouse and family via cell phone just in case of an emergency, or if something bad happens. Are we stifling ourselves and needlessly creating anxiety for us and our children?  One thing is for sure however, and that is.. before technology took such a firm hold on our lives, my life sure felt like it moved a lot slower than it does today.

Feel free to chime in. What did you enjoy during your youth that just isn't an option for kids today? Are parents too careful and overly protective in today's society?   I'd love to hear your thoughts.
     

A Retro Dad's T-shirt collection

by Darrin Vindiola


While nothing would make me happier than wearing a suit for upwards of 16 hours a day, I must admit that I've been a T-Shirt freak since I was a kid. It was probably a couple of years ago when I suddenly realized that the massive stacks of T-shirt's I owned, could rightly be called a "collection".

While recently organizing and thinning out my collection, I decided to snap a few pics of my tees for your viewing pleasure. If your internet connection is lousy God help you.. because there's close to fifty t-shirt images posted below.

TIKI..

Tiki Tee from "Crazy Shirts"
This shirt was actually dyed with rum!

 Tiki Tee from Tommy Bahama

DISNEY..

Disney Tiki Tee

This shirt is about 16 years old.  While it's seen better days, I can't bring myself to throw it out (at least until I somehow find a suitable replacement).

 60's inspired Mickey Tee

Far out man!

Perry The Platypus from the Disney cartoon..

Phineas and Pherb

The perfect shirt to wear to the Disney Parks 

(and I'm not the only Dad to do so)

Shirts for the Geek-Dad..

Hulk/Kool Aid Man tee from "Tee Fury"

Ronald on the down low! Tee from "Glennz Tees"

Rat Fink/Back to the Future Tee from "Tee Fury"

Family Guy 'Drunken Clam' Tee from "Tee Fury"

80's Toyline M.U.S.C.L.E.

Kinnikuman Anime Tee

Miscellaneous Tees..

Hey.. We DO!

Jimmy Buffett Tees..

Beer Tees..

The majority of the shirts pictured below are from Old Chicago restaurant.  The shirts were obtained by finishing Mini Beer tours.  Basically, you drink 8 different beers paired with the current Mini Tour theme, and you in turn score a cool limited edition tee.

 

 Headless Horseman w/beer in hand Glow in the dark tee

Leprechaun with his little mug of gold

So there you have it.. nearly 50 of my favorite t-shirts from my collection. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a hoarder or anything. I go through my shirts on a regular basis and discard or re-purpose any shirt that starts looking shabby. Maybe I'll post some more pictures sometime, because the shirts pictured above are just a portion of my collection.